Ex-cop warns against Flock cameras: ‘It creates a mass surveillance system’

A former Pawtucket, Rhode Island, police officer is sounding the alarm on the growing presence of surveillance technology, arguing that Flock surveillance cameras and automatic license plate readers have effectively established a mass surveillance system in his former community.

Concerns over government tracking

As reported by WJAR, former Pawtucket officer Noel Pichardo is speaking out against the rapid proliferation of camera systems installed by companies like Flock and Axon across the country. Pichardo, who resigned from his post in July 2025, alleges that his vocal opposition to the technology led to multiple suspensions dating back to the systems' 2021 introduction in Pawtucket.

"The freedom to be able to move freely in your community without your government tracking you ... that’s the necessary freedom that we should never give up," Pichardo stated to WJAR. He expressed deep concerns regarding potential misuse of the data, suggesting it could be weaponized for political purposes or to stalk individuals, including romantic partners.

Data collection and local impact

Pawtucket’s implementation of the program followed a pilot phase, leading to a $65,000 contract for 22 license plate readers in 2023. These devices continuously log plate numbers and vehicle data, raising questions about the scope of surveillance on public roads. While Pawtucket police Detective Capt. Kenneth Dolan has defended the technology by noting that the cameras operate in public spaces to assist in solving crimes, the risk of abuse remains a primary concern for critics.

Evidence of system misuse

The concerns raised by Pichardo mirror several documented instances of official misconduct across the nation:

• In Charlotte, North Carolina, WCNC reported this Wednesday that a Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer was charged after allegedly sharing information about an undercover agent with a drug dealer.
• A Milwaukee Police Department officer resigned and pleaded guilty to attempted misconduct in public office earlier this year after he was caught using the Flock system to track his romantic partner 124 times and the partner’s ex-partner 55 times.
• Additional reports of unauthorized surveillance have surfaced in Georgia and other states, prompting 205focus.com to continue monitoring how this technology is managed and regulated.